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Ryan Reynolds really does have a heart of gold, with a huge donation made to help cover the medical bills of ex-Wrexham star Martyn Chalk.

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Hollywood star dipping into his own pocketDone so on a regular basis alongside McElhenneyChalk among those to benefit from generosity WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Red Dragons midfielder Chalk finds himself stranded in Thailand after suffering a serious accident that has left him with multiple fractures and a broken femur. Before being unable to travel home, with a two-month stay expected in the Far East, the 54-year-old – who spent six years the Racecourse Ground between 1996 and 2002 – must cover the costs of any treatment that he has received.

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A GoFundMe page was set up to aid those efforts, with an initial target set out of £1,000. Wrexham co-owner Reynolds has decided to match that figure by himself, with the Deadpool actor once again putting his hand into his pocket.

GoFundMeDID YOU KNOW?

Reynolds, along with fellow co-chairman Rob McElhenney, has invested heavily in Wrexham as a football club and the community that the Welsh outfit serves. Rewards have been found on the field, with promotion secured back into the EFL, while the city is now thriving after figuring prominently in the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.

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WHAT NEXT?

Reynolds helped the wife of Red Dragons star Anthony Forde to get a second opinion on the brain tumour that left her in a “living nightmare”, while money has been donated to various other causes that are tied to the now League Two promotion-chasing outfit.

India’s national selection panel is likely to ponder over the composition of the team’s spin attack when they sit down on Thursday in Delhi to finalise the squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka

Amol Karhadkar22-Jul-20151:56

Kalra: Naman Ojha could be picked as reserve-keeper

India’s national selection panel is likely to ponder over the composition of the team’s spin attack when they sit down on Thursday in Delhi to finalise the squad for the three-Test series in Sri Lanka.Harbhajan Singh has seemingly justified his recall with decent outings in the Bangladesh and Zimbabwe ODIs, and is set to be given a full series, while R Ashwin, too, is ready to roll in what would be his maiden Test series in Sri Lanka. With two spots locked in the XI, the selectors will have to decide on the back-up spinners.Karn Sharma, who was the third spinner in the Test squad in Bangladesh, got injured ahead of the Zimbabwe tour. It is understood, however, that he has recovered from his finger injury and is available for selection. Still, Karn is not assured of a spot, with three other players competing for the third spinner’s position, even though Ravindra Jadeja has fallen out of the radar in recent months.Axar Patel, considered to be a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja, has put in consistent performances in limited overs. Also, the fact that Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha have been rewarded with India A call-ups indicates that Sandeep Patil’s panel has not written the pair off completely. Interestingly, it was Mishra and Pragyan who shouldered the responsibility in India’s last Test series in Sri Lanka, in 2010, when Harbhajan returned home after the first Test.With opening batsman KL Rahul also returning to top-flight cricket after recovering from a bout of dengue fever, 14 of the 15 members, barring Karn, who were originally selected for the lone Test in June are likely to be persisted with.The other point of discussion would be whether to add a reserve keeper in the squad. MS Dhoni’s Test retirement will give Wriddhiman Saha, who was Dhoni’s understudy in Sri Lanka in 2010, his first full series behind the wickets. Considering that it is a three-Test series, if the selectors decide to include a reserve keeper and expand the squad to 16 members, Naman Ojha will be the frontrunner for the position. Naman, who was in the Test squad for the final match against England last year, was also with the squad in Australia till the first Test as Dhoni had missed out with injury.While the seven batsmen select themselves, the selectors are likely to persist with captain Kohli’s demand for an aggressive pace attack.

The Portuguese will likely need to raise his game in 2023-24 given the influx of stars into the Saudi Pro League, but he disappointed against PSG

Cristiano Ronaldo was held scoreless and turned in a drab performance as his Al-Nassr side fought to an uneventful scoreless draw with PSG in their pre-season meeting in Osaka. Chances were rare in this high-profile friendly, with a Kylian Mbappe-less PSG lacking a goalscoring punch, instead turning to a litany of imperfect options and teenagers for attacking production.

Al-Nassr, meanwhile, looked to feed their main man, and he marked a relatively uneventful first half — if only because of his failure to put a chance away. Ronaldo met a floated cross from five yards out, but saw his weak effort thwarted by Gianluigi Donnarumma. He missed a far more speculative chance shortly after, putting a bicycle kick well past the post.

His miscues were the closest either team came for most of the contest. PSG, fielding a mixture of academy players and new signings, were lacking in possession, and never really strung a coherent attacking move together. Marco Asensio had the occasional half-chance, but his like of killer instinct cost Luis Enrique's side.

Ronaldo was removed from play after 65 minutes, slumping off the pitch and acknowledging the smattering of Al-Nassr shirts that stuck out in a sea of PSG fans. This wasn't his finest performance — far from it. Those showings are becoming less frequent these days, especially against tougher competition. And, if nothing else, this served as evidence that Ronaldo will need to raise his game once the competitive action begins.

GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at Nagai Stadium:

Getty ImagesCristiano isn't ready yet

Ronaldo, in fairness, joined Al-Nassr when the Saudi Pro League season was well underway last season, and although a player of his quality is expected to quite comfortably dominate a lower-calibre division, there was always going to be something of an adjustment period.

Not anymore, though. This time, Ronaldo has no excuses. And in Al-Nassr's latest warm-up, the Portuguese didn't have much of an impact. A lot of the typical Ronaldo things were here. He floated around the box, waiting for the right cross or fortunate nick off a PSG defender. He broke out a few stepovers, chops, and turns — few of which were particularly necessary.

But his impact in front of goal — the thing he is supposed to be on the pitch for — was minimal. PSG certainly did their part defensively, but Ronaldo turned in a poor showing. Even he will need time to find form.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesZaire-Emery impresses again

Another game, another start for PSG's immensely promising teenager Warren Zaire-Emery. The academy product caught the eye in PSG's pre-season opener against Le Havre, and he was equally impressive here. Deployed alongside Vitinha, he looked far more comfortable than the 23-year-old, who started 29 games for the Parisians last season.

Al-Nassr have a sneakily good midfield pivot, lining up Marcelo Brozovic and Seko Fofana — an interesting blend of physicality and technique. Zaire-Emery danced around both of them, dictating play and offering an attacking thrust that the Parisians were otherwise missing.

PSG have five midfielders fighting for three spots in Luis Enrique's XI — with potentially more to come. But Zaire-Emery might just get his chance, and if this was to be his trial, it's hard to see what else he could've done to impress the new manager.

Getty ImagesAsensio is not a striker

Luis Enrique insisted on playing Asensio through the middle during his tenure as Spain manager, despite it yielding minimal results. And he did the same here, asking the winger to function as a sort of false nine for most of the contest.

The results, once again, were mixed. Asensio was full of energy and movement, and linked up well with PSG's wide players. But his instincts in the final third were lacking; this is not a player who likes to ghost into spaces, or win headers. It is, of course, in these times like these when PSG miss Mbappe, or crave a more direct presence off either wing.

Still, Luis Enrique looks likely to push on with this experiment, one that hasn't been working for some time now. It is, likely, not the role that the Spaniard signed up for when he left Real Madrid on a free transfer a few months ago.

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Getty ImagesNo Neymar to be found

Neymar underwent significant ankle surgery less than six months ago, and was always going to need time to work his way back to fitness. And even though he seems to be nearing a return, it appears he isn't quite ready yet.

But he should be back soon. Neymar was pictured in team training this week, and seen smiling from the bench. Still, he never got on the pitch, leaving a bit of uncertainty as to how, exactly, this PSG team will eventually line up. There seems to be a chance that Neymar could operate in a more attacking role, or provide a goal threat in Luis Enrique's side — especially with Mbappe likely gone.

But it seems that Luis Enrique will have to wait a bit longer before he is able to release his Brazilian weapon. He will undoubtedly be an important addition for this languishing PSG side.

Fifties from Phillip Hughes and Tom Cooper, who also shared a 120-run second-wicket stand, helped Australia A reach a strong 2 for 180 on the third day of the four-day game against South Africa A

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Aug-2014
ScorecardPhillip Hughes has four fifty-plus scores in his last six innings, across formats•Getty ImagesOn the day he earned a national call-up as a replacement for the injured Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes extended a rich run of form by striking an unbeaten 71 that guided Australia A to a strong 2 for 180 on the third day of the four-dayer against South Africa A.With the second day lost to rain, Australia A will begin the final day 153 runs behind South Africa A, who were propelled to 333 by Farhaan Behardien’s 107.South Africa A began the third day on 5 for 220 but lost David Wiese and Simon Harmer within the first seven overs. Behardien and Hardus Viljoen then staged a recovery of sorts with a 63-run eighth-wicket partnership that helped South Africa A go past 300. Behardien was the last man to fall for his seventh first-class ton and became Gurinder Sandhu’s fourth dismissal. The Australia A fast bowler finished with successive four-fors in the series.In reply, Australia A lost Peter Forrest early but the pair of Hughes and Tom Cooper helped the side recover from the stutter with a 120-run partnership. Cooper was dismissed for 57 but Hughes steadily worked his way to an unbeaten 71 off 206 deliveries and will look to score a third century over the past month before touring with the Australia side to Zimbabwe.

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Arsenal have confirmed that Hector Bellerin sustained a serious knee injury during the Chelsea clash on Saturday and will therefore be sidelined for between six and nine months.

The Spaniard, making his first start since mid-December, went down in pain under no contact and it was clearly more than just a knock. He was stretchered off and will undergo surgery for the injury in the coming days, however his rehabilitation is expected to consume the remainder of the season.

Bellerin’s misery may be matched by that of Unai Emery, who has consequently been left short of quality options at right-back – Stephan Lichtsteiner is past it, Carl Jenkinson isn’t good enough and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, while full of potential, isn’t a natural defender.

Look away Arsenal fans! American Soccer Fan is back to troll more fans at the London Stadium in the video above…

The 23-year-old’s huge setback took the glint off an otherwise perfect 90 minutes from the Gunners, who were excellent from back to front as they emerged 2-0 victors over their London rivals, with Laurent Koscielny and Alexandre Lacazette getting on the scoresheet.

Despite being a bit of a scapegoat for Arsenal in previous years, Bellerin has come a long way under Emery – he has chalked up five assists this season, according to Transfermarkt – however his bad luck means he won’t be able to contribute any further to the Spaniard’s first season.

Here’s how the Emirates Stadium faithful reacted to the news on Twitter…

USA wicketkeeper Steven Taylor and Canada offspinner Nikhil Dutta have been awarded full Caribbean Premier League contracts after successful tryouts with the Barbados Tridents and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots respectively

Peter Della Penna22-Jun-2015USA wicketkeeper Steven Taylor and Canada offspinner Nikhil Dutta have been awarded full Caribbean Premier League contracts after successful tryouts with the Barbados Tridents and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots respectively. They two became the first Associate players from the Americas Region to become part of a CPL squad.After participating in an ICC Americas squad camp last December in Barbados, Taylor and Dutta were two of six players shortlisted for a chance to compete in a trial with West Indies U-19 cricketers for a final roster spot in their nominated CPL franchise.Taylor, 21, first rose to international prominence at age 18 in October 2012 when he was the only US player chosen as part of the International World XI captained by Sanath Jayasuriya in a series of T20 exhibition matches in Karachi as part of an effort to encourage international teams to resume touring Pakistan. He was the first US player to score a T20 century and was USA’s leading scorer at the 2013 World T20 Qualifier in the UAE with 271 runs at an average of 38.71.Tridents coach Robin Singh has worked with Taylor since 2011 when Singh was the USA U-19 coach first at a regional qualifier in Florida and then again at the U-19 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland. Since then, Taylor and Singh have continued to forge a solid bond during Singh’s stints as a coach for the USA senior team on a tournament by tournament basis at various ICC events.Dutta, 20, was the 2013 ICC Americas U-19 Division One tournament MVP when he helped Canada qualify for the 2014 ICC U-19 World Cup in the UAE. He was Canada’s leading wicket-taker at the recently concluded ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 tournament in Indianapolis, taking 12 at an average of 9.41, giving strong indications that he would make the cut with the Patriots. Dutta is considered somewhat of a mystery spinner with a delivery style and repertoire similar to Sunil Narine.Despite being given full contracts by their franchises, both Taylor and Dutta may have limited availability for the tournament after both were named last week to represent their countries at the ICC World T20 Qualifier in Ireland and Scotland. All teams are scheduled to arrive on July 3 for the tournament with USA and Canada’s first official group matches taking place on July 10. The World T20 Qualifier final is on July 26 in Dublin, the same day as the CPL final in Trinidad.Aside from the two Associate players, former West Indies U-19 captain Ramaal Lewis received a contract from Jamaica Tallawahs while reigning West Indies U-19 player of the year Shimron Hetmeyer signed on with the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The other two emerging talents to receive CPL contracts were Gidron Pope from the St Lucia Zouks and Mark Deyal for the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel.

Nottingham Forest loanee Jonjo Shelvey scored a Harry Kane and David Beckham-esque goal in the Turkish Super Lig on Sunday.

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Shelvey channelled Kane & Beckham in Turkish Super LigScored the winning goal for Caykur RizesporJoined the club on loan from Nottingham ForestWHAT HAPPENED?

The former Liverpool and Newcastle United star caught the eye with a stunning strike from inside his own half during a Turkish Super Lig clash between Caykur Rizespor and Istanbulspor. In the fifth minute of the match, the midfielder received a pass inside the centre circle in his own half and smashed the ball over the head of goalkeeper David Jensen, which proved to be the all-important winner for Rizespor.

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The former England international joined the Turkish club from Nottingham Forest on loan in September and has appeared in nine league matches so far, scoring once and providing an assist.

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The 31-year-old will be next seen in action for his club after the international break as Rizespor take on Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on November 26.

Benjamin Cremaschi admits that he “didn’t want to let him go” after being jumped upon by Lionel Messi during an Inter Miami goal celebration.

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Argentine superstar in the United StatesHas made an immediate impactTeam-mates love having him aroundWHAT HAPPENED?

Cremaschi is, as an 18-year-old of Argentine decent, living the dream in 2023 after being joined in Florida by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi. He is taking as many lessons as possible from the all-time great, with rapid progress on his part earning a call-up to the senior United States squad for the last round of international fixtures – with a debut taken in for the USMNT against Oman.

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The teenager’s exploits at club level have made such recognition possible, with the youngster thriving alongside Messi. He teed up one effort for the 2022 World Cup winner during a MLS clash with the New York Red Bulls in August, allowing him to take in the most memorable of celebrations.

WHAT THEY SAID

Cremaschi has told the podcast of seeing Messi acknowledge his efforts before leaping into his arms: “Obviously he just pointed at me, kind of like dedicated it. He’s an amazing person and will never celebrate by himself. It’s incredible and just the moment he jumps on me… it was like another dream. You know, like the best player you’re celebrating a goal, incredible goal with him. I called my family after and they’re like ‘oh, how was it?’ I was like, I didn’t want to let him go!”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Cremaschi has scored three goals of his own this season as his personal stock continues to rise. Messi has plundered 11 through 12 appearances, helping Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory and the final of the U.S. Open Cup, but he is currently nursing a knock and will be handled with care over the coming weeks in an ongoing MLS play-off bid.

The Gunners have been big spenders this summer – but Mikel Arteta still wants more firepower

There is now less than a week left of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal have been busy so far, with Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Viera, Marquinhos and Matt Turner all being brought in since the end of last season.

But will the Gunners be doing any more business before Thursday night's 11pm transfer deadline? 

Below, GOAL takes a look at what could still happen in north London during the closing days of the window.

GettyIncomings – Pedro Neto

Arsenal are interested in Pedro Neto, but as of yet they have not made an official offer to Wolves.

The discussions that have been going on behind the scenes have been taking place with Jorge Mendes, Neto’s agent.

Arsenal technical director Edu has a good relationship with Mendes and has already worked closely with him this summer as part of the deal that brought Fabio Vieira to the club from Porto.

Wolves do not want to sell Neto, but with Mendes having a huge influence at the Midlands club, he could yet have a major say on what happens with the winger during the final days of the transfer window.

If Wolves stand firm, however, and demand a fee in excess of £50 million for the 22-year-old, Arsenal fear they could be priced out of a move, given their hefty outlay on transfers over the past two summers.

While club sources insist they currently have no issues surrounding Financial Fair Play rules and that things are being run in line with Premier League and UEFA regulations, there is an acceptance that a deal for Neto could prove to be too expensive to pursue this summer.

Arsenal have only brought in around £20 million from sales this summer and the prospect of bringing in any substantial funds during the closing days of the window appears slim.

AdvertisementGettyYouri Tielemans

Tielemans’ story has been an interesting one this summer.

Arsenal hold a long-term interest in the Leicester City midfielder and were expected to bid for him following talks with his representatives last season.

But they have yet to submit an offer, leaving Tielemans – who has just one year left on his deal with the Foxes – somewhat in limbo.

He expected to move this summer, with Leicester open to sanctioning his exit to bring in some funds.

But Arsenal focused their attention elsewhere as they prioritised other signings and they have yet to rekindle their interest in the Belgium international.

There is still a chance Tielemans will move before the deadline and while it’s unlikely it will be to Arsenal, the possibility can’t be entirely ruled out, given how long the midfielder has been on the radar at the Emirates and the work that has already been done behind the scenes with his agent.

GettyA wildcard?

If Neto proves to be too expensive and Arsenal continue to overlook Tielemans, could there be a surprise arrival over the final week of the window?

Mikel Arteta has publicly stated his desire to do some more business, with the Gunners boss admitting after the win at Bournemouth last weekend that he wanted more ‘firepower’.

One player who is believed to be of interest is Yeremy Pino at Villarreal, with sources in Spain confirming to GOAL that the 19-year-old is admired by the North London club.

But just like Neto, Pino would not come cheap, and no offer has been made at this stage.

Wilfried Zaha is another name that is being touted around, but prizing him away from Crystal Palace this late in the window would be extremely difficult.

“We want to only bring top quality through that door,” Arteta said last week. “Otherwise it’s not worth it.”

Arsenal showed in January that they won’t push the panic button and bring a player in just for the sake of it if they can’t get their main targets.

So the prospect of them spending big money on a player who they might not be convinced by seems slim.

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Getty/GoalOutgoings – Hector Bellerin

With Nicolas Pepe’s loan move to Nice now confirmed, attentions shifts to getting the last couple of unwanted players out of the door.

A move to Real Betis remains the most likely option for Hector Bellerin, but Barcelona are also lurking.

The Catalan outfit have yet to make an official offer for the right-back as they have been looking at Juan Foyth at Villarreal, but they have been in talks with the Arsenal star's camp.

And Bellerin’s representatives are waiting to see if Barcelona firm up their interest in the defender as deadline day approaches.

Betis meanwhile are working to free up space in their squad for Bellerin, who enjoyed a fine loan spell with the La Liga outfit last season.

They are also hoping that Arsenal will come to an agreement to terminate Bellerin’s contract a year early.

Talks between Arsenal and Belelrin’s representatives have taken place about a potential termination, but so far no agreement has been reached.

The expectation is, however, that Bellerin will certainly leave Arsenal before the end of the window.

Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha, who finished the Ranji season with 645 runs including four successive fifty-plus score in the knockouts, has been named as the captain of the 15-man Rest of India squad

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2016Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha, who finished the Ranji Trophy season with 645 runs including four successive fifty-plus scores in the knockouts, has been named as the captain of the 15-man Rest of India squad. They will play 41-time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai in the Irani Cup at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, starting March 6.The squad, which was announced shortly after the Ranji final, featured two Saurashtra players – Sheldon Jackson and Jaydev Unadkat. Jackson tallied 538 runs in 10 matches at 57.41, while Unadkat had a breakthrough season after injury, taking 40 wickets at 20.12.The squad also included the top two wicket-takers of the season – Jharkhand left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem and Assam pacer Krishna Das. Punjab pacer Barinder Sran, who recently made his international debut in Australia, and Vidarbha offspinner Akshay Wakhare were also in the bowling mix.Karun Nair, who scored 500 runs this season compared to last time’s 709, was one of the two Karnataka players in this year’s Irani Cup squad, along with Stuart Binny. Vidarbha’s Faiz Fazal and Jammu and Kashmir’s Ian Dev Singh add more weight to the batting line-up. Andhra’s Srikar Bharat was the other wicketkeeper in the squad apart from Ojha. Assam’s Arun Karthik, who was the third highest run-getter this season behind Shreyas Iyer and Akhil Herwadkar, and allrounder Jalaj Saxena, who piled up 588 runs and 49 wickets, didn’t find a place in the squad.Rest of India squad: KS Bharat, Faiz Fazal, Karun Nair, Sheldon Jackson, Naman Ojha (captain), Stuart Binny, Shahbaz Nadeem, Jayant Yadav, Nathu Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Barinder Sran, Krishna Das, Sudip Chatterjee, Ian Dev Singh, Akshay Wakhare.